The All-in-one Shopping List For The Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner

November 10, 2017 November 10, 2017

Grocery shopping has never been an easy thing. Even if you are a professional when it comes to shopping, it's still quite the challenge to keep in mind every item you need to pick up for the traditional Thanksgiving dinner menu. Surviving Thanksgiving, however, can become much easier with our shopping list. We have prepared a list of everything you need to create the ultimate Thanksgiving dinner without worries.

TURKEY

It is hard to forget about the turkey, but make sure you buy the right-sized bird for your feast. A helpful tip to remember: one pound of turkey per person is the way to go. If you buy a frozen bird, make sure it has enough time to thaw in the fridge – let it sit for at least one day before the event. Turkey is an essential part of any traditional Thanksgiving dinner, but if you are planning to make a meatless menu, go for tofurkey – a great vegan substitute for the real thing.

STOCK

Stock is one of the most versatile ingredients in our Thanksgiving shopping list. You can use it to make gravy, dressings or sauces – it is used in almost any recipe. There is an option of making your own stock, but you can always buy it pre-made to save yourself some much need time.

ROASTING PAN

It is important that your roasting pan is big enough to cook the bird whole. No traditional Thanksgiving dinner goes without a turkey or its substitute - make sure you have your pan ready to spare yourself from the last minute rush.

TURKEY BASTER

If you don’t have one at home, be sure to include the turkey baster in your shopping list. The classic Thanksgiving turkey should be juicy and soft. The turkey baster will help you spread the fat or the stock all over the bird while cooking, making the meat tender and delicious.

SWEET POTATOES

These are good in many forms – casserole, mash, baked in halves – whatever is your favorite. Look for fresh potatoes of approximately equal size and shape – they will be easier to cook.

REGULAR POTATOES

A solid choice for those who are not big fans of sweet potatoes. Potatoes are the most versatile of side dishes – just be sure to pick up fresh potatoes for the feast.

FRESH HERBS

An important part of a shopping list – fresh herbs can provide freshness and flavor to almost any dish. Thyme, sage, rosemary, parsley and bay leaves are a great choice for any traditional Thanksgiving dinner menu. There is no such thing as too many fresh herbs, so it is better to pick up a bit more than initially planned.

Salt and pepper are always present in any pantry, but consider double-checking. You will definitely need both of those for all the cooking.

ONION, GARLIC AND CELERY

These three are used in almost every recipe: make sure you have enough of these and stock up.

BREAD CUBES (FOR STUFFING)

Thanksgiving would not be complete without stuffing! Make your own dried bread cubes or save yourself some time by buying bread that has already been cut into cubes.

BUTTER

Make sure you have enough of butter! Unsalted butter will help you control saltiness of the dishes, but if you like your butter salty, get both kinds.

FLOUR

You may think you have enough of flour in the house, but check twice! If you’re not sure, include the flour into your Thanksgiving shopping list - you don't want it to run out when making gravy or pastries.

CRANBERRIES

Every classic Thanksgiving dinner needs cranberries. Pick up some fresh berries or buy jam – pick whatever you like the most.

PECANS

Add them to your Thanksgiving shopping list if you’re planning to make a pecan pie, casserole, or if you just like pecans. They are good almost everywhere – in desserts, salads or just as a part of your Thanksgiving decor.

PARCHMENT PAPER, ALUMINUM FOIL AND PLASTIC BAGS

Make sure you have the kitchen equipped for the cooking. It is better to have too much parchment paper than accidentally realizing that you ran out of at the least convenient moment. Also, plastic bags and foil are good for packing up leftovers for the guests. Pick up some extra plastic containers to share the food after the dinner is over – it is Thanksgiving, after all.

Now you are fully prepared for the big supermarket hunt. Go the extra mile and organize your cooking process with a recipe planning spreadsheet and draft a Thanksgiving menu plan before picking up the food items for the big day.